Intergalactic Summit

At roughly 18:28 standard time, a squadron of four Rattlesnake-class Battleships, piloted by members of the Guristas Pirates, appeared and were engaged by capsuleer forces in the Covryn system.

This task force, of unknown disposition or intentions, penetrated sovereign Federation territory in an area typically considered outside of their standard zone of operations.

The Villore Accords is investigating this incident and requests any additional information from those pilots that participated in the engagement, or were in the area. Pilots loyal to the Federation should consider this an opportunity to participate in stopping a potentially destabilizing pirate incursion before it spirals out of control.

-Julianus Soter

Executor, Villore Accords
CEO, Moira Corporation

Although a fair number of events that transpire in the Federation are out of my jurisdiction or interest, events that involve the Guristas do possess both of those traits. Should you require any assistance in this investigation, I would be more than pleased to lend a hand. Moitte.

Were these Guristas pilots verified capsuleers, or merely baseline complement? The implications of the former are far more interesting than the latter.

I don't suppose any of them had opted to speak up on the local communication bands either, did they?

Combat logs of the engagement are available through CONCORD-verified sources of the Guristas Corporation pilots being involved in an engagement with Cynosural Field Theory Alliance, Nocturnal Romance corporation.

The Guristas pilots have been identified as Benne Gasteau, Jeane Kastelle, Pall Kurako, and Torf Omel.

The Nocturnal Romance participants have been asked about their involvement and if they had any additional information to offer.

Our investigation continues.

A search shows Guristas own capsuleers fighting members of the Nocturnal Romance Alliance...it doesn't make much sense but kudos to them for the Mimir...

-Eran

Rather laughable really and just another opportunity for Soter to look all high and mighty.

What's his fear that Placid is going to become even more overrun with pirate organisations? Because I suppose to likes of SCUM, NOC and BRB just don't field enough these days to warrent attention. Those dasterdly Guristas however dare to invade Placid with not one, nor two.. but four battleships! I can see the people of Intaki and whoever is left on Evaulon to be trembling!

Congratulations to our Fluffy Eared allies for rustling jimmies though, good work!

~Hikari

I'm surprised no one mentioned Heth yet. Are the stores out of tinfoil?

[Statement Retracted]

I digged a little deeper into this, and while it's nothing major, this event does need some looking at. While Gurista battleships are not a rarity in lowsec, Gurista capsuleers are, especially a Gurista capsuleer squadron in Gallente lowsec, a place where the unlawful are usually associated with the Serpentis.

This is the report I published on it: Gurista capsuleers spotted!

In short: not much is known about it, they were quickly disposed of and henceforth were no threat. So no need to jump to conclusions of a pirate invasion. Do keep in mind, these were Gurista Capsuleers, not capsuleers who associate with Guristas.
The reason they were in gallente space is unknown, as no information was found out. A speculation could be that it was a diplomatic mission, to negtiate a deal with the Serpentis or another faction.

I'd like to personally express my appreciation for the public notice of this incursion having been provided to us all. There is no doubt that this is an unusual occurrence. The presence of highly valuable Gurista vessels in Federation territory signifies an interesting turn in either intra-pirate, or pirate/empire relations.

To be frank, the potential consequences to the balance of power in the area will have impacts for every single group operating in Placid. That includes the Federation, the Caldari Protectorate invasion forces, the Sansha Kukavei loyalists, and the Serpentis Corporation. There is much power to be lost from all sides. Further, this event signifies a worrying growth in economic and security risks for all other legitimate corporate operators in Gallente territory.

What we already know is that these are capsuleers directly employed by the Gurista, not merely fanatics to the cause. We also know that the Rattlesnake class vessel is highly, almost prohibitively, expensive for any everyday half-assed roam, and to project that much ISK is much more than any regular 'jimmie rustling' - as it has been described. This is serious.

These pirates have our attention. Now to find out what they want.

The Institute of Social Development welcomes the Villore Accords investigation, and I would take this opportunity to offer my full support and cooperation.